Is your head heavy? Is your nose stuffy? Let's talk about the paranasal sinuses!

Sometimes when you wake up in the morning, your head feels really heavy, doesn't it? Your nose is stuffy, and you have a different voice when you speak... Most of the time, we call this a 'hoarseness'. But the real culprit behind this could be your sinuses. Although we've all heard the word 'sinuses', few people really know what they are, where they are, and what they do. So today, let's talk about this simply and politely.

What are these sinuses (Paranasal Sinuses)?

Simply put, the four small, air-filled cavities inside the bones of your face and skull are what we call the paranasal sinuses . In everyday speech, we simply call them "sinuses." "Para" means "near" and "nasal" means "related to the nose." This means that these are cavities located near the nose.

Imagine how heavy your head would be if the bones in your face were as thick as bones. These sinus cavities reduce that weight, making your head feel lighter. These cavities are lined with a thin layer of mucus. Normally, there is only air in these cavities. But when you have a cold or an allergy, these cavities fill with mucus and swell, and we start to feel that annoying feeling of heaviness in our head, facial pain, and stuffy nose.

What do sinus cavities do to our body?

Although mucus buildup can be a nuisance, the sinus cavities are actually structures that perform a very important function in our bodies. Let's take a look at what they are.

• Fighting infections: A thin layer of mucus is constantly produced inside your sinus cavities. This mucus traps dust and germs that enter the air we breathe and allows them to flow out through the nose. It acts as a protector for our respiratory system.
• Adding moisture and warmth to the air we breathe: It's not good for the dry, cold air we breathe to go straight into our lungs. As this air passes through the sinus cavities, it adds the necessary moisture and warmth. It's like a natural 'humidifier' built into our bodies.
• Reducing the weight of the skull: As I said before, these air-filled cavities significantly reduce the weight of our skull.
• Protection in head injuries: If your head hits something, these sinus cavities help to minimize the damage that can be done to the brain from the impact. Just as airbags and crumple zones in a car crash protect the occupants, these cavities absorb the force of the impact and protect the brain.
• Affecting your voice: Your sinus cavities also affect the identity of your voice, that is, its unique depth and tone. The sound waves produced when you speak resonate within these cavities, creating your voice. When you have a cold, your voice changes because these cavities fill with mucus.

Where are these sinus cavities located?

There are four pairs of major sinus cavities in our face. That is, four on the right side and four on the left. They are also named after the bone in which they are located. All of these are connected to the nose.

The table below provides a clearer understanding of their locations and details.

What are the common diseases and conditions associated with sinuses?

Most often, sinus problems are caused by allergies, infections, or inflammation of the sinus cavities.

• Sinusitis: This is the most common condition. The mucous membrane lining the sinus cavities becomes inflamed due to a virus, bacteria, or fungus. If the symptoms last less than 10 days, we call it acute sinusitis . If the symptoms last more than 12 weeks, it is chronic sinusitis .
• Common Cold: The common cold is an upper respiratory tract infection caused by a virus. This also affects the sinus cavities.
• Nasal and Paranasal Tumors: Sometimes, abnormal growths, called tumors, can develop inside the sinus cavities. Most of these are noncancerous, such as nasal polyps . However, very rarely, cancerous conditions (such as `Squamous Cell Carcinoma` and `Adenocarcinoma`) can also develop.
• Dental Infections: As I mentioned earlier, there is a very thin bone wall between the roots of the upper teeth and the maxillary sinus. Therefore, a severe infection in a tooth can easily spread to this sinus cavity.

What are the symptoms of a sinus problem?

There are several common symptoms of a sinus infection:

• Feeling of heaviness or pressure in the face and head.
• Runny nose (may be yellow or green).
• Postnasal drip.
• Nasal congestion.
• Decreased sense of smell (`Hyposmia`).

What are the treatments for sinus diseases?

Most of the time, common sinus infections will go away on their own . However, there are things you can do to help relieve your symptoms. But remember, it's best to talk to your doctor before starting any treatment.

• Painkillers: Painkillers like paracetamol can reduce pain and fever.
• Nasal decongestants: These come in the form of nasal sprays or pills. However, it is not a good idea to use sprays continuously.
• Nasal Irrigation: Rinsing the nose with saline removes mucus and cleanses the nose.
• Antibiotics: Your doctor will only prescribe antibiotics if they determine that your sinus infection is bacterial. They are not helpful for viral infections.

In some cases, especially in chronic conditions, problems such as sinusitis, or in severe cases where the infection spreads to the eyes or brain, surgery (`Sinus Surgery`) may be necessary.

How to keep sinuses healthy?

To stay as far away from this annoying situation as possible, there are some simple habits we can follow.

• Keep your hands clean: Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. This helps prevent the spread of germs.
• Stay away from allergens: If you are allergic to things like dust, pollen, or pet dander, stay away from them as much as possible.
• Avoid smoking: Smoking and inhaling cigarette smoke severely damage the sinus membranes.
• Develop good health habits: Eat a balanced diet, get enough exercise, and get enough sleep. These things will strengthen your immune system.
• Control the humidity in your home: If your home environment is too dry, use a humidifier. Steam inhalation with hot water can also help relieve nasal congestion and sinus pressure.